Proverbs 24

1Do not envy wicked people, and do not desire to be with evil people,

2Because the hearts of evil people plan destruction, and the lips of evil people talk about trouble.

3A house is built by wisdom, and it becomes strong through understanding.

4Through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.

5A wise person is strong, and someone with knowledge grows stronger and stronger.

6Because with wise guidance you can wage war, and victory comes with many advisers.

7Wisdom is too high for a fool; a fool has nothing to say in the assembly at the gate.

8Whoever plans evil will be called a schemer.

9The schemes of a fool are sin, and people despise a mocker.

10If you give up when trouble comes, how small your strength really is!

11Rescue those being dragged toward death, and save people who are staggering toward execution.

12If you say: We did not know about this — does the LORD, who weighs hearts, not see it? Does the One who watches over your life not know it? Will the LORD not repay each person for what that person has done?

13My son, eat honey, because it is good; the honeycomb is sweet to your taste.

14Know that wisdom is sweet to your soul in the exact same way; if you find it, there is a future for you, and your hope will not be cut off.

15Do not lie in ambush like a wicked person against the home of the righteous; do not destroy the righteous person's resting place,

16Because a righteous person falls seven times and gets back up again, but wicked people stumble into ruin when trouble comes.

17Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when your enemy stumbles,

18Or the LORD will see your pride, and the LORD will be displeased and turn His anger away from your enemy.

19Do not fret because of evildoers, and do not envy the wicked,

20Because the evil person has no future; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.

21My son, respect the LORD and the king, and do not join with rebels,

22Because destruction will strike rebels suddenly, and who knows what ruin the LORD and the king can bring?

23These also are sayings of the wise: It is not good to show favoritism in judging.

24Whoever tells the guilty: You are innocent — people will curse that person, and nations will despise that person.

25But it will go well for those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come on them.

26Giving an honest answer is as refreshing as a kiss on the lips.

27Finish your outdoor work, and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.

28Do not testify against your neighbor without a reason, and do not deceive with your lips.

29Do not say: I will do to that person what that person did to me; I will pay that person back for what that person has done.

30I walked past the field of a lazy person, by the vineyard of someone with no sense,

31And that field was completely overgrown with thorns, weeds covered the ground, and the stone wall was broken down.

32I looked and thought carefully about what I had seen, and I learned this lesson:

33A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest,

34And poverty will come on you like a robber, and need like an armed soldier.